(From left) Waynette Strachan, Marketing Manager, Bert's Auto Parts; Alfred "Franno" Francis, Founder, Running Events; Food for the Poor's Development and Marketing Manager Marsha Burrell-Rose; Tracy-Ann Tomlinson, CEO Bert's Auto Parts and Food for the Poor's Executive Director, Craig Moss-Solomon share a photo opportunity during the Bert's Auto Parts Charity 5K launch at Molynes Road on Tuesday.
The old adage "sharing is caring" is something that many Jamaicans truly abide by and embodies.
Bert Tomlinson, Founder and CEO of Bert’s Auto Parts is no different and so he felt it only fitting that they demonstrate good corporate social responsibility with one simple act of kindness that has now created an endless ripple.
From assisting to build a house for former national football star Miguel Blair in 2021, to launching the Bert’s Auto Parts Foundation which presents grants and scholarships to outstanding PEP students, Tomlinson's philanthropic efforts, much like his business, is now soaring to new heights.
Through his latest initiative, a 5K Run, Bert’s Auto Parts Foundation is intent on raising funds to benefit the Food for the Poor Housing Project. The Run scheduled for October 1 at Emancipation Park, is seeking to raise approximately US$49,000 (about $8 million Jamaica) to build 10 houses.
Under the theme “Build with Bert’s” Waynette Strachan, marketing manager at Bert’s Auto Parts, explained that the inaugural 5K represents a committed effort to make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and families in need.
"We saw the profound impact of one mission that we did with Food for the Poor and so we thought to ourselves that while we establish our foundation in our 35th year, we want to multiply that impact to help families in need through Food for the Poor houses,” Strachan told journalists during a launch at their Molynes Road base on Tuesday.
“So, people would know us for auto parts and our celebrating 35 years is possible because of the support of our customers and so it's our way of giving back to Jamaica. It is because of the support of our customers why Bert's is where it is at today and so we feel like it's only right that we serve our country through our corporate philanthropic effort which you are seeing now. So, we have always been doing this, we just didn't highlight it and so what you are seeing now is merely press being added to what we are doing.
“We intend to spread the love across Jamaica, we don't have any locations for the houses as yet, but our able partner Food for the Poor will assist because we want to ensure that it benefits those who need it the most,” she added.
Despite building over 36,000 houses for Jamaicans in need over the years, Food for the Poor’s Executive Director, Craig Moss-Solomon said there is always room for much more, which is why he welcomes Bert’s effort to add another 10 to the count.
The event is targeting a at least 3,000 participants. Registration is open at Runningeventsja.com and the fee is $2,000.
“When Bert’s came back and said they want to do a 5K to raise money for 10 houses, it's 10 lives that we will be able to change and make their living conditions more comfortable. That is what we plan to do, change lives, so I am really happy that we are teaming up with Bert on this and we hope Jamaica will come out and support because it is for a great cause,” Moss-Solomon reasoned.
“I believe they will hit the target of 10, but I would be more than humble if it surpasses the 10 houses, I would love for that to happen. So, our message to Jamaica is just to come out and support and help us build back the love for Jamaica and build with Bert's,” he noted.
Sherdon Cowan is a five-time award-winning journalist with 10 years' experience covering sports.
Sports Ministry giving J$45M in grants to Olympians, Paralympian
As a token of appreciation for their efforts, members of Jamaica’s team to the recent Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, France will be compensated through grants from the Government of Jamaica, the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, said at a press conference on Monday.
“I have J$45M allocated to provide Appreciation Grants to members of Jamaica’s delegation to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” she said.
Grange said the money was being disbursed directly to 66 athletes, including one Paralympian, and 21 athlete support personnel who formed Jamaica’s delegation to the games.
These grants are in addition to over twenty million dollars disbursed to athletes under the Athletes Assistance Programme as they prepared for the Paris Games, according to Grange.
Junior athletes who competed at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru will also receive gift vouchers totaling J$760,000 from the Ministry.
The Minister was speaking at the press conference to announce the Jamaica leg of the new global athletics league, Grand Slam Track, being led by the former World and Olympic champion and record holder, Michael Johnson.
T&T to host inaugural Special Olympics Regional Beach Games
Trinidad & Tobago is set to create history next month when it plays home to the first-ever Special Olympics Regional Beach Games.
The Games is scheduled to run from November 8 to 10 and is being facilitated by Special Olympics T&T (SOTT), with the Digicel Foundation as one of the event’s main sponsors.
This new regional event will bring together 130 athletes, 70 coaches, and delegates from Special Olympics programmes across the Caribbean and North America to compete in a variety of beach sports, including Aquathlon, Beach Bocce, Beach Soccer, Beach Volleyball and Open Water Swimming, at venues in both Trinidad and Tobago.
Digicel Foundation Chief Executive Officer Penny Gomez said the company was pleased to be associated with such an important event.
“The dedication and commitment demonstrated by our special athletes and coaches is nothing short of inspiring.
“It’s a great honour for T&T to have been selected to host the inaugural Special Olympics Regional Beach Games, and this recognition of our very own SOTT is very well-deserved,” Gomez said.
Special Olympics T&T (SOTT) is the only Special Olympics programme that currently includes the Beach Games as an annual multi-sport event and has done so since 2016.
CANOC President Keith Joseph commends Turks and Caicos for commitment to sport as a tool for national development
CANOC (Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees) President Keith Joseph has praised the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands for its strong commitment to using sport as a key pillar of the nation’s development strategy. Joseph's remarks came after a productive meeting held on Tuesday, October 15, at the Ministry of Education’s headquarters in Providenciales, signaling the start of CANOC’s week of activities in the country.
The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, and Social Services; Permanent Secretary Chery-Ann Jones; Director of Sports Keisha Taylor; Deputy Director of Sports Amin McCartney; Deputy Permanent Secretary Jarrett Forbes; and Alvin Parker, Deputy Director of the TCI Sports Commission. CANOC representatives at the meeting included General Secretary Brian Lewis and Second Vice President John Abramson Jr.
During the discussions, Minister Taylor and her team outlined various initiatives aimed at integrating sports into the nation’s overall development framework. Topics included government support for national sports federations, the importance of sports in schools, coaching development, and the potential for sport tourism to boost the economy. The conversation also touched on gender equality in sport, a global issue that remains relevant to local development efforts.
Joseph commended the government’s efforts, noting the key role sport can play in youth development. "We are very pleased with the Turks and Caicos’ proactive approach in using sport as a tool for addressing some of the challenges facing today’s youth. It’s encouraging to see a comprehensive strategy that focuses not only on competitive success but on using sport as a means to build character and develop the nation’s children into well-rounded individuals."
Minister Taylor highlighted the government’s ongoing initiatives to engage youth in sports, emphasizing their broader goal of fostering commitment to the well-being of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Sport is seen not only as a path to healthier lifestyles but as a vehicle for national pride and community development.
The Turks and Caicos Islands also aim to capitalize on their natural beauty and strategic location to enhance sport tourism, a growing sector within the region. The government's vision includes developing policies and programs that position the islands as a premier destination for sporting events, training camps, and international conferences.
CANOC expressed its appreciation to the government for their continued support of the Commonwealth Games Association of the Turks and Caicos Islands, especially for hosting the meetings of the Commonwealth Games Federation, the CANOC Annual Workshop and General Assembly, and the first-ever CANOC Caribbean Sports Awards Gala.
Joseph reaffirmed CANOC’s commitment to working closely with the Turks and Caicos Islands to further enhance sport development in the region, underscoring the importance of sharing knowledge and best practices across Caribbean nations.
With the government’s strong backing and CANOC’s ongoing support, the Turks and Caicos Islands are poised to make significant strides in both national development through sport and sport tourism in the coming years.
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